A multitude of faithful Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday to welcome their new pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, addressed the crowd in both Italian and Spanish, conveying a message of unity and hope for a more inclusive church. He greeted attendees both in person and online with a brief but impactful speech.

Dennis Doyle, professor emeritus at the University of Dayton, noted to Digital that the Pope’s emphasis on a missionary church open to all echoes the teachings of Pope Francis.

Doyle spent four decades teaching at the Catholic university.

Pope Francis appointed Provest as a cardinal the previous year.

Doyle pointed out that Pope Francis’s initial significant document was “Evangelii gaudium,” which translates to “The Joy of the Gospel.”

Pope Leo XIV, in his brief address, stated his desire for a synodal church that “walks and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering,” addressing “all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world.”

Doyle highlighted Pope Francis’s strong advocacy for synodality.

Doyle stated that Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to a synodal church signals his intention to largely continue the work of Pope Francis.

Despite his symbolic nod to Francis through his message, the first American pope chose to wear traditional papal attire, including a red mozzetta and white cassock, a contrast to Pope Francis’s unadorned appearance on the balcony in 2013.

Doyle said this choice suggests a leaning towards tradition in some aspects, adding that his choice to reside in the Apostolic Palace will be telling.

The papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace serve as the Pope’s official residence. Pope Francis deviated from this custom by residing at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the accommodation for cardinals during conclaves.

Doyle speculated that Pope Leo XIV may differ from Francis in certain ways, noting that “Francis did do some things that alienated traditionalists.”

Prevost was ordained in 1982. Throughout his career, Cardinal Prevost held positions such as head of the Augustinian Province and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Doyle suggests that Leo the Great, the first Pope Leo, and Pope Leo XIII are likely influences on the papal name chosen by the .

Doyle stated that everyone is initially looking to Leo XIII, but more information is needed to know for sure.

Pope Leo XIII is widely known for authoring Rerum Novarum, a seminal Catholic social encyclical.

Doyle explained that Rerum Novarum is a Latin idiom that translates to “On Revolutionary Changes” or, more literally, “On New Things.”

According to Doyle, the encyclical tackles the and the industrial revolution, specifically the harsh conditions faced by 19th-century workers.

Doyle noted that the encyclical begins with a condemnation of socialism, which, at the time, referred to what is now understood as communism.

Doyle added that Pope Leo XIII condemned it for contradicting natural law, which dictates that individuals have a natural right to ownership and property.

Doyle described as a general document that presents fundamental human principles concerning the economy and society, leaving room for diverse interpretations.

Doyle concluded that Pope Leo XIV is likely to be a well-balanced pope.